The Tumbleweed Suite

Spent today at the National Poultry Show - about 7000 exhibits, and wandering round grabbing "free" samples from the feed companies, including one whose flour mill I saw burned down when I lived in Chelmsford. Depressingly, neither of the young ladies on the stand had even heard of the fire. I've actually seen two mills burn down, and they do burn extremely fiercely (explosively, even), as the finely divided flour mxes with the air.

I knew, I knew it, Gil.

Still the poultry...still active in the branch?...if it is not impertinent to ask...

Spent today at the National Poultry Show - about 7000 exhibits, and wandering round grabbing "free" samples from the feed companies, including one whose flour mill I saw burned down when I lived in Chelmsford. Depressingly, neither of the young ladies on the stand had even heard of the fire. I've actually seen two mills burn down, and they do burn extremely fiercely (explosively, even), as the finely divided flour mxes with the air.

I knew, I knew it, Gil.

Still the poultry...still active in the branch?...if it is not impertinent to ask...

Kind regards from Paul.

We now have 4 Muscovy ducks, 10 hens, and Donald. He's more or less blind now, and lives with the hens (to protect the Muscoviess from his "attentions". He was bought 13 years ago, with his partner, Daisy, as Christmas dinner, but the girl Siduri (who went to the auction with her late father and bought them) realised on the way home that they were a "true pair", and hadn't the heart to eat them. Just as well - I couldn't have brought myself to do the deed (I can do it to hens, though these days only as euthanasia). We had a horrible experience early in the year - Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease killed 20+ of our rabbits. Heartbreaking when you have spent years (decades, even) building up a strain to your liking

CaroCensura

Posts : 1123Join date : 2012-01-09

Subject: Re: The Tumbleweed Suite Tue 05 Dec 2017, 03:41

You might enjoy our last bookclub book, Gil. It was called The Elusive Language of Ducks and was about a woman grieving for her mother who is given a muscovy duck to help her, which she becomes obsessed with. It is by NZ author, Judith White, and while most of us didn't enjoy it much (too much duck!) it certainly describes muscovies in detail. Its themes were grief, mental illness, relationships, loneliness. It does all this with some humour.

There was a recent NZ film about a poultry show committee in Christchurch: we didn't see it but it got favourable reviews, and when it comes on television I will seek it out. Infighting with amusing insights, I gather - and one of our locals in the background of one scene. Lots of poultry.

Gilgamesh of UrukCensura

Posts : 1514Join date : 2011-12-27

Subject: Re: The Tumbleweed Suite Tue 05 Dec 2017, 10:19

Caro - I wonder if there is a relationship between the duck book, and "H is for Hawk". One minor point the author missed - all other domestic ducks are mallard derived and do speak duck. Muscovies don't. They squeak, they hiss, they stand facing each other and bob their heads, but duck they definitely do NOT speak!

nordmannNobiles Barbariæ

Posts : 5854Join date : 2011-12-25

Subject: Re: The Tumbleweed Suite Tue 05 Dec 2017, 13:18

Am I missing anything? Just moved house plus a few other things have been keeping me off the airwaves of late ...

Anyway, as a gesture of thanksgiving for everything having ticked over in my abscess let's all have an always welcome reminder of Peter Skellern's vicar from the early 80s ... (the episode of Happy Endings when the BBC were coming to film the church choir).

VizzerCensura

Posts : 858Join date : 2012-05-12

Subject: Re: The Tumbleweed Suite Wed 06 Dec 2017, 18:34

If that tick is still ticking over in that abscess of yours nordmann then I'd recommend a tequila slammer. You can try drowning the tick in neat tequila, use the lemon as an antiseptic for the bite and then the salt to dry out the wound. If that doesn't work just enjoy a shot. Welcome back!

fervalCensura

Posts : 2586Join date : 2011-12-27

Subject: Re: The Tumbleweed Suite Wed 06 Dec 2017, 19:15

Evening all! No, I haven't been infirm or sulking but my machine has. However, after its stay in hospital it appears to be functioning properly again.

Now, are we all prepared for the upcoming festivities? Any trees up yet? Or 6' inflatable Santas adorning the garden? Are the pressies bought and wrapped? No, neither are mine but I see that Aldi have a special Christmas range for the pets. Including drinks!

Pawsecco

And Bottom Sniffer Beer.

CaroCensura

Posts : 1123Join date : 2012-01-09

Subject: Re: The Tumbleweed Suite Wed 06 Dec 2017, 20:52

Christmas, ferval? I haven't got time to celebrate a birth; I am too busy going to funerals or finding reasons not to. Had a phone call from my sister this morning and was just wondering who didn't know I was cared for at that time of the day when she said my aunt's husband had died. He was 90, so I suppose that is a good age but there is a problem when one of a couple that age dies what will happen to the other.

Gil, I read somewhere that muscovies weren't really ducks at all. But this one speaks to Hannah and holds philosophical discussions with her. I have suddenly been reminded of the song "Be kind to your web-footed friends cos a duck may be somebody's mother", though I was singing it as "lover"!. That was probably more in keeping with the story in the book.

Nordmann, hope the house-shifting went easily. We are in the process of building a new house and have been for about a year now, no digns yet of even the foundations being laid.

I'll not be around after this weekend - off on my Christmas hols. Am now panicking about the snow forecast for this weekend: will I get trapped in a 2cm. drift on the M4 and miss my flight?

Dear Temperance have a nice holiday, wherever you land.Holidays are welcome alternances of daily life.Enjoy you overthere and see you next year.A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you in advance.And all the best wishes for you from Paul.

Gilgamesh of UrukCensura

Posts : 1514Join date : 2011-12-27

Subject: Re: The Tumbleweed Suite Thu 07 Dec 2017, 21:23

I see Zwarte Piet has, once again, inexplicably failed to carry you off to Spain, Paul!

I see Zwarte Piet has, once again, inexplicably failed to carry you off to Spain, Paul!

Gil, yes already more than five years, normally in January to Tenerife, but in the meantime two years without kidney dialysis, one year with, and now since 13 May a transplant kidney and well with it...but some incovenients...due to the anti rejection pills the immune reaction is lower thus less sun for danger of skin cancer...but with a factor thirty...and not too much sun...perhaps next year or January 2019...

Kind regards from your friend Paul.

CaroCensura

Posts : 1123Join date : 2012-01-09

Subject: Re: The Tumbleweed Suite Sat 09 Dec 2017, 05:20

I don't know about the Factor 30, Paul - there was a Consumer study on sunscreens here recently and nearly all of them did not meet what they said was in their product.

I was with my dil when she Skyped her mother in mid-Wales today (close to Welshpool) and there was a dusting of snow on the ground, which made driving a bit dicey. She said heavier snow was forecast for Monday.

I don't know about the Factor 30, Paul - there was a Consumer study on sunscreens here recently and nearly all of them did not meet what they said was in their product.

I was with my dil when she Skyped her mother in mid-Wales today (close to Welshpool) and there was a dusting of snow on the ground, which made driving a bit dicey. She said heavier snow was forecast for Monday.

Caro thanks for the information. And yes the grand-daughter said to take a renowend brand and perhaps for the heavy sun factor 50.

They forecast in The Netherands snow of more than an inch in the South West, that means our Belgian North-West, that's our coast and here around Bruges...

Kind regards from Paul.

Gilgamesh of UrukCensura

Posts : 1514Join date : 2011-12-27

Subject: Re: The Tumbleweed Suite Sat 09 Dec 2017, 22:49

It's supposed to start snowing again here in the next hour or two. Most of the trip should be OK if I take the slightly longer route (motorway instead of cross-country) but the last few miles form Welshpool to llanfair look hairy. Local website just put out a plea for 4x4 drivers to take the nurses into work tomorrow.

PaulRyckierCensura

Posts : 2064Join date : 2012-01-01Location : Belgium

Subject: Re: The Tumbleweed Suite Sun 10 Dec 2017, 21:26

Gil,

"Local website just put out a plea for 4x4 drivers to take the nurses into work tomorrow."

Paul.

Gilgamesh of UrukCensura

Posts : 1514Join date : 2011-12-27

Subject: Re: The Tumbleweed Suite Sun 10 Dec 2017, 23:19

Well, they did try to run at least some Santas today - but without me. In one of the villages en route, the "main road" was completely blocked and the General Manager told me not to attempt to get in, so I went back to bed at 7 when I'd normally set off, and slept through till 10 to 10. As I've been suffering from an industrial grade cold, the extra kip was mighty welcome.

TriceratopsCensura

Posts : 3225Join date : 2012-01-05

Subject: Re: The Tumbleweed Suite Tue 12 Dec 2017, 14:23

More dinosaurs next year;

Gilgamesh of UrukCensura

Posts : 1514Join date : 2011-12-27

Subject: Re: The Tumbleweed Suite Tue 12 Dec 2017, 15:41

No trailer needed. Straight into the bin lorry.

TriceratopsCensura

Posts : 3225Join date : 2012-01-05

Subject: Re: The Tumbleweed Suite Wed 13 Dec 2017, 12:20

Now then, Gil, some of us like watching Dinosaur films.

Speaking of which, Dinosaur blood has been found in parasites, just like in the original Jurassic Park:

Now if they made a decent film about warm-blooded feathered dinosaurs like the ones currently on earth I might be interested. Rarely bother with sci-fi films of any type, prefer the better pictures in the books. Anyway, the interesting part of Jurassick gawk was done earlier, and far better, in https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Legacy_of_Heorot

LadyinRetirementCensura

Posts : 820Join date : 2013-09-16

Subject: Re: The Tumbleweed Suite Thu 14 Dec 2017, 22:34

Well I fell over on some black ice on Monday and cracked my humerus near the shoulder. I was on my way to an xmas lunch too. i went to a and e and fracture clinic the next day. I've been told to let me elbow which is in a 'collar and cuff' hang without being supported so that gravity can do its work and hopefully it can be treated conservatively. i can't do any 'work' typing of course and this i am doing left-handed hence grammar mistakes. I've been told to sleep sitting up.

Internet connection has been intermittent during the bad weather though it's raining now. Hope everyone is jogging along okay.

LadyinRetirementCensura

Posts : 820Join date : 2013-09-16

Subject: Re: The Tumbleweed Suite Thu 14 Dec 2017, 22:57

Am I alone in finding Mac computers overhyped? This one works, sort of, and is 2nd hand, but I don't find them particularly better than PCs.

nordmannNobiles Barbariæ

Posts : 5854Join date : 2011-12-25

Subject: Re: The Tumbleweed Suite Fri 15 Dec 2017, 08:24

Sorry to hear about your unexpected upheaval - I grew up with a morbid dread of walking on ice (must have had a traumatic experience as a toddler, I reckon) and then voluntarily moved to Norway just as the bones were beginning to atrophy. There's no hope for our species, alas ...

The Mac OS was for a long time a logical alternative for anyone who just didn't want to be in the firing line for almost every bit of malware in the wild, which for a decade or more unrelentlessly targeted Microsoft Windows. It's not true anymore, unfortunately - the advent of almost total internet dependency for functions once neatly self-contained within each OS has put paid to that. The clever dicks are opting for Linux (in which there are so many variables one can introduce oneself into the OS structure that it's harder to second-guess by creeps), but even this alternative has grown more vulnerable lately.

Since they're all trying to clone each other these days when it comes to the "user experience" - as they like to call their mission to inflict total misery on the public - it's really all down to taste these days, or what you're used to.

Well I fell over on some black ice on Monday and cracked my humerus near the shoulder. I was on my way to an xmas lunch too. i went to a and e and fracture clinic the next day. I've been told to let me elbow which is in a 'collar and cuff' hang without being supported so that gravity can do its work and hopefully it can be treated conservatively. i can't do any 'work' typing of course and this i am doing left-handed hence grammar mistakes. I've been told to sleep sitting up.

Internet connection has been intermittent during the bad weather though it's raining now. Hope everyone is jogging along okay.

Lady in retirement,

sorry to hear about your bad luck...and sleeping sitting up...I feel with you...I hope that gravity can do its work...and hope for a quick relief of that situation.

The Mac OS was for a long time a logical alternative for anyone who just didn't want to be in the firing line for almost every bit of malware in the wild, which for a decade or more unrelentlessly targeted Microsoft Windows. It's not true anymore, unfortunately - the advent of almost total internet dependency for functions once neatly self-contained within each OS has put paid to that. The clever dicks are opting for Linux (in which there are so many variables one can introduce oneself into the OS structure that it's harder to second-guess by creeps), but even this alternative has grown more vulnerable lately.

Since they're all trying to clone each other these days when it comes to the "user experience" - as they like to call their mission to inflict total misery on the public - it's really all down to taste these days, or what you're used to.

nordmann, thank you very much for the information.

Kind regards, Paul.

Gilgamesh of UrukCensura

Posts : 1514Join date : 2011-12-27

Subject: Re: The Tumbleweed Suite Fri 15 Dec 2017, 22:11

The most "secure" personal computer OS was, oddly enough, the one crafted for the Sinclair QL (for Quantum Leap. Even Sir Clive appeared unaware that a "quantum leap" is the smallest possible change of level). Since nothing loaded at the same location every time, malware couldn't gain any traction. However, nor could the computer (which resurfaced briefly as the ICL "One Per Desk" if you recall the days when It's Coming Later were a major competitor, in the UK at least, to It's Being Mended.)

LadyinRetirementCensura

Posts : 820Join date : 2013-09-16

Subject: Re: The Tumbleweed Suite Mon 18 Dec 2017, 15:12

I've been trying to watch sensible YouTube videos since I stumbled on the silly ones a few months ago. I saw one today where a young person with AIS (xy chromosomes but somehow developed externally as a girl) was explaining the condition. Most comments expressed gratitude for her taking the time to explain but one person had said she had a mental disease and there was no such thing as AIS. I despair of people sometimes - still people were helpful to me last week when I fell so there still lots of good 'uns. I see Trike has posted the new Simon's Cat cartoon so that might perk me up.

How is your shoulder/arm now LiR? It's just the wrong time of year to be incapacitated, isn't it? Even if you're not hosting rampaging hordes over Christmas, there's still loads to do, letters to write, cards to send, gifts to wrap, shopping to get in before everything shuts, etc. I only have about ten of so letters/cards to send, no presents to buy and no-one coming to stay, but even so I've done nothing yet. Quite frankly I'd rather give all that a miss, ignore everyone, and just go into hibernation for a bit ... but that's really not allowed is it? Anyway take care and let everyone else do the work as much as you can.

LadyinRetirementCensura

Posts : 820Join date : 2013-09-16

Subject: Re: The Tumbleweed Suite Tue 19 Dec 2017, 08:00

Shoulder still sore - guess these things can't be rushed. Back at fracture clinic tomorrow. Still have to see if i can risk an outing to local co-op or do an online shop. I may send e-cards this year. It's just me and the cat over xmas and to be honest I don't fancy any fuss so a quiet xmas will suit me. Thanks to MM and all who have commiserated with me.

I haven't seen it myself but apparently some show involving a nurse time-travelling back to the time of the [I think '45] Jacobite rebellion and getting involved with a Highland lord has sparked an interest in Scottish history with its viewers. [Note it was a lord not a tinker or a dustman [if they had dustmen then]]. I heard the theme tune yesterday and it was the Skye Boat Song with different words; some people thought it was a completely new song though. I've also discovered that some people think 'The Parting Glass' originated in the Assassin's Creed board game. Still, not everyone is 'into' traditional music.

I haven't seen it myself but apparently some show involving a nurse time-travelling back to the time of the [I think '45] Jacobite rebellion and getting involved with a Highland lord has sparked an interest in Scottish history with its viewers. [Note it was a lord not a tinker or a dustman].

Yes, it's the same with people who believe they have been reincarnated ... in their previous life they were always someone like Marie-Antoinette, Cleopatra, or the Elizabeth Taylor of the Ming Dynasty, never a humble peasant. I had one guest staying here who had undergone regression therapy with hypnosis, or something like that, which had 'revealed' her to be a reincarnation of a Merovingian princess (she was French - your average English punter would never have heard of the Merovingians). She even had a long genealogical chart going back to the 5th century, showing her descent from an aunt of Clovis I, king of the Franks, to prove it was all true (one can't even trace tthe Queen's descent that far). I do a bit of family history/genealogy and quite honesty her chart, beyond her grand-parents and the next few generations back, was utter rubbish: just a string of people linked because they had the right name and were living at about the right date (but completely implausible when you looked in detail and saw women apparently sometimes giving birth to children at seventy ... or seven!). Anyway I just smiled politely and thought to myself "a fool and his money ... ", but she was a bit odd all round.

fervalCensura

Posts : 2586Join date : 2011-12-27

Subject: Re: The Tumbleweed Suite Tue 19 Dec 2017, 11:42

Don't knock it, 'Outlander' has done wonders for the economy of Doune (a douce wee town in Stirlingshire) which has been feeling the effects of a decline in visiting Pythonistas traipsing round the 'MP and the Holy Grail' castle. Now bus loads of tourists turn up to walk the self-same battlements but looking for romantic highlanders rather than incompetent knights.

In the midst of all the seasonal madness, can I recommend something just as timely but more entertaining

I've been trying to watch sensible YouTube videos since I stumbled on the silly ones a few months ago. I saw one today where a young person with AIS (xy chromosomes but somehow developed externally as a girl) was explaining the condition. Most comments expressed gratitude for her taking the time to explain but one person had said she had a mental disease and there was no such thing as AIS. I despair of people sometimes - still people were helpful to me last week when I fell so there still lots of good 'uns. I see Trike has posted the new Simon's Cat cartoon so that might perk me up.

Shoulder still sore - guess these things can't be rushed. Back at fracture clinic tomorrow. Still have to see if i can risk an outing to local co-op or do an online shop. I may send e-cards this year. It's just me and the cat over xmas and to be honest I don't fancy any fuss so a quiet xmas will suit me. Thanks to MM and all who have commiserated with me.

I haven't seen it myself but apparently some show involving a nurse time-travelling back to the time of the [I think '45] Jacobite rebellion and getting involved with a Highland lord has sparked an interest in Scottish history with its viewers. [Note it was a lord not a tinker or a dustman [if they had dustmen then]]. I heard the theme tune yesterday and it was the Skye Boat Song with different words; some people thought it was a completely new song though. I've also discovered that some people think 'The Parting Glass' originated in the Assassin's Creed board game. Still, not everyone is 'into' traditional music.

Alexander Armstrong claims it was written for an ancestor of his who was about to be executed and was originally called "Armstrong's Lament". I love the Steeleye Span version as sung by Gaye Woods https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYzblJ_MDeM. I've sort of asked for it to be played at my cremation - with Howling Wolf's "Going Down Slow" as the coffin sinks from sight.

I've always thought it was a Lowland Scots/Northumberland border song. My dad (North Northumberland) used to recite the words as prose - in 'is canny accent an' all - but he never sang it (he never sang much, my dad, even in church). But that would make sense with the Armstrong connection: the Armstrongs being a powerful Reiver (border) family. I thought it was originally supposed to be about a man (an Armstrong, I guess) voicing his regrets, or not, on the eve of his execution. Didn't it also become 'popular' for it to be played at IRA funerals in the 1980/90s?

I've always thought it was a Lowland Scots/Northumberland border song. My dad (North Northumberland) used to recite the words as prose - in 'is canny accent an' all - but he never sang it (he never sang much, my dad, even in church). But that would make sense with the Armstrong connection: the Armstrongs being a powerful Reiver (border) family. I thought it was originally supposed to be about a man (an Armstrong, I guess) voicing his regrets, or not, on the eve of his execution. Didn't it also become 'popular' for it to be played at IRA funerals in the 1980s?

Yes, with changed last verse - particularly as sung by Ronnie Drew https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2M3wr4hYSf4 The Monsters are under instructions NOT to use these lyrics. 'sander specified that the ancestor was to be executed as a reiver.

I've been trying to watch sensible YouTube videos since I stumbled on the silly ones a few months ago. I saw one today where a young person with AIS (xy chromosomes but somehow developed externally as a girl) was explaining the condition. Most comments expressed gratitude for her taking the time to explain but one person had said she had a mental disease and there was no such thing as AIS. I despair of people sometimes - still people were helpful to me last week when I fell so there still lots of good 'uns. I see Trike has posted the new Simon's Cat cartoon so that might perk me up.

OOPS: nearing midnight near Bruges, not that far from the English Channel on the European peninsula, I have to stop the argumentation...I will instead "bombard" you tomorrow with the "deepest stirrings of my soul" (de diepste roerselen van mijn ziel)...